5/23 Study Abroad Fair

A few months ago, I was asked by the university if I would like to represent my home university in a "Study Abroad Fair." All study abroad participants would design a poster, if they wanted to, and talk to students interested in study abroad. We had to design a poster and submit it, so I spent my time making it looks as nice as possible. I wanted to be representative of the school, not trying to show my home of California or the USA. And, I wanted to by honest by sharing how much it may cost to study abroad, so that I didn't mislead anyone. I didn't want to get anyone's hope up and go through the whole application process just to find out that they couldn't afford it. I tried to show images and information that were representative of only the school, and not the USA because it was supposed to be a "Study Abroad" Fair and not an "Exchange Student's Home Country" fair.

I only had one class the day of the event, so I was able to get there early to help set up. They had me set up my poster at a place, and then had me move it. I was going to be right next to my classmate from Thailand, Asia. Many of my exchange student classmates were there representing their countries. A lot of people came by, some of them I knew from club or class. I answered questions and told them about it. A lot of people were interested in going to Sac State, and some of them were dejected when they saw the cost.

Anyways I had to go to my forestry class. When I was done, I walked back over and guess who I saw. Kokoro and Kana, two of the Ehime University students who had studied abroad at Sac State. They were introducing Sac State to their peers. I walked over and we were surprised to see each other. I told them that I made the poster and was presenting. They thought that was cool, and so we all stayed and talked with interested students. I hadn't known, but Kokoro was telling students that they could apply for study abroad scholarships because that's how she was able to go.

For reference, the cost of one year of study at CSU Sacramento (a cheap university) is equivalent to the cost of 4 years of study at Ehime university.

That was pretty much it.